World class treatment for neck and back pain

Most of us will experience some kind of neck or back pain in our lifetime. It might be caused by an injury like slipping on ice, or overuse from carrying heavy objects. Sometimes, neck and back pain can happen with age or be a symptom of an illness.

No matter the cause, the expert orthopedic team at TRIA can help you recover and get back to the things you love. Our expert spine team is made up of the top spine surgeons, physical therapists, sports medicine doctors and other specialists in the Midwest.

With innovative treatments like integrative medicine, and the latest approaches to physical therapy, we can treat even the most complex neck and back conditions. You don’t need to be in pain any longer, take your first step to recovery with help from TRIA.

One of the biggest myths about neck or back pain is that it’s usually a sign of a serious condition. This isn’t true. The vast majority of spine pain we see in our patients is actually caused by minor conditions like:

• Sprains or strains from overuse
• Postural strain caused by sitting or standing in certain positions for a prolonged time
• Poor body mechanics (how your body moves)
• Lack of regular exercise
• Conditioning problems such as muscle tightness or weakness

Another common myth about neck back pain is that we need to know the cause in order to treat it. This isn’t true. Spine physical therapists and spine specialists are able to treat the symptoms and help you manage your pain without determining the precise cause.

In general, we’ve found that the majority of back and neck pain is caused by muscle deconditioning. This is when the muscles around the spine lose strength and stability. This can happen from age or lack of physical activity, often it’s a combination of both.

If your neck or back condition makes it difficult to get through your day, we recommend talking with one of our spine specialists. Our spine physical therapists and spine experts will perform an initial evaluation to determine the best course of treatment for your neck or back condition. In most cases, patients who get care for neck and back conditions earlier have an easier recovery.

When you come in for your appointment, we’ll start with a physical exam. We’ll check your neck or back for tenderness, stiffness and pain, as well as talk with you about your symptoms and any recent changes to your lifestyle.

If more information is needed after your physical exam, we might use imaging to take a closer look at the affected area. Diagnostic imaging for neck and back conditions include X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

No matter the complexity of your neck or back condition, the expert team of spine specialists at TRIA can help. We offer comprehensive spine care and we'll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique lifestyle and goals. There are several common treatments for neck and back injuries.

Nonsurgical treatments are the foundation of how we treat neck and back issues. We’ll work with you to determine that best course of treatment for your specific needs.

We’ve found that physical therapy can be used to treat most neck and back pain. Our spine physical therapists will guide you through specialized exercises designed to strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility and increase your mobility. At TRIA, you’re able to make an appointment with a spine physical therapist without a referral.

Other common nonsurgical treatments we may prescribe for neck and back conditions include anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants and epidural steroid injection. We also offer holistic treatments like yoga therapy and acupuncture that are scientifically proven to manage neck and back pain.

When physical therapy or other nonsurgical treatments aren’t enough to manage your pain, we may recommend interventional spine procedures. These are highly specialized, minimally invasive treatments. During an interventional procedure, we’ll use imaging to guide us so we can treat the issue right at the source. We perform several different types of interventional spine procedures, including facet joint injections, ablation procedures and spinal cord stimulation.

In some cases, injuries and other conditions can damage the discs in the spine. These discs are spongy tissue between the vertebrae that help absorb shock when our bodies move. When the discs are damaged, they can’t provide as much protection from the bumps and jolts we experience throughout the day.

When other courses of treatment won’t relieve your pain, we may recommend surgery. We provide a comprehensive range of surgeries for even the most complex conditions. In many cases, we perform surgeries in our outpatient ambulatory surgery center so our patients can go home the same day as their procedure. This makes recovery more comfortable and can be a more affordable option for our patients.